Portable Back Traction Device and Method of Use

Abstract

A device that is used to extend the spine and put it in traction, that is portable and user friendly. The device in its preferred embodiment is grasped by the handles on either side and then is pushed toward the lower leg and against the upper calves via vertical intermediary bar pushing the legs with a horizontal bar in one direction and the shoulders in the other. The described process stretching the spine and putting the back in traction for the purposes of pain relief and stretching of the back muscles. The invention or device is meant to be an inexpensive alternative to other devices, as well as, easier to use. The lower cost of the device due to it its unique and simple design being an incentive purchase the device, thus, bringing pain relief to more people. The method for use of the device can be as the preferred embodiment or it can be imagined in several other designs, but still retaining the method employed in the preferred embodiment, this application is meant to cover all such eventualities and shapes. The force placed on the device and therefore on the spine or back is controlled by the user as is the ability to stop quite quickly if pain where to arise, giving the user complete and instant control. Other embodiments may include the ability to take the device apart for travel or to lengthen or shorten the device to accommodate different sizes of people. The method of use being unique, in that it requires the user to lay on their back or stomach with the thigh portion of their leg flat and in line with the torso of the person and the legs bent at the knees, this method of use being a more natural and safe position. The device in its preferred and other embodiments being easier and more effective for grossly overweight people whereas the weight of the person or encumbrance of the extended abdomen making other devices less effective and harder to use than the present invention. The present device is not reliant on the weight of the person to achieve traction in the spine or back.

Description

This is a provisional application under 35 USC section 111 (b)

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a simple device consisting of bars fashioned so that there is a horizontal bar that is padded and at least one vertical bar with grip handles mounted on the opposite end of the vertical bar in a fashion that a person can grab them easily. The horizontal bar is then placed behind the upper calves area of the user in laying down in a flat position, with the torso and the thigh area of the legs in line, with their legs bent at the knee. The person would then grip the grip handles and push on the backs of the calves, thus pushing the legs in one direction and the shoulders in the other direction lengthening the spine and putting it in traction to relieve back pain and stretch back muscles. This device was conceived out of necessity to alleviate the inventors own back pain. To my knowledge, this is the simplest and least expensive unique unit that is designed for back traction at the present time.

This device is superior to other methods such as units that push on the fronts of the thighs for several reasons. First, pushing on the calf muscle is not nearly so sensitive to pain as the fronts of the thighs. Secondly, very heavy set people cannot use the thigh pushing method to good effect, because of the physical position of the abdomen being large pushing the device toward the knee and thus becoming ineffective for use, this is not an issue with the present device pushing on the calves. Thirdly, the thigh pushing method is less effective given the position of the legs, the leg is bent at the knee and the lower part of the leg to the foot is at such a position and angle as to resist the device's applied pressure, lowering its effectiveness. This is not an issue with the present device pushing on the upper calves.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The main aspect of the device is to stretch the back and put it in traction, thus relieving pain from back compression and other issues by pushing on the backs of the calves with a very simple and inexpensive device. The invention consists of a horizontal bar with a soft covering or enlarged area to cushion or spread out forces from the device to the calf area of the leg. The device also has a vertical bar or bars that attach to the first horizontal bar on one end, which may or may not be extendable, to which horizontal handles or other handles for grabbing and pushing on the opposite end.

The method of pushing on the backs of the calves in a laying position, either on ones back or stomach, with the legs bent at a 90 degree angle. The device is pushed by the handles threw the vertical bar or bars to the lower horizontal bar creating force pushing the lower part of the body in one direction and the shoulders in the other direction, thus putting the back and spine in traction, extending the gaps between vertebrae relieving pressure and pain as well as stretching the muscles in the back.

The method of use also does not rely on the persons weight to operate.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the device being used with the user lying on his/her back.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device being used with the user lying on his/her stomach.

FIG. 3 is a view of the preferred embodiment of the device.

FIG. 4 is a view of an alternate device embodiment that can be used with this method.

FIG. 5 is a view of an alternate device embodiment that can be used with this method.

FIG. 6 is a view of an alternate device embodiment that can be used with this method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a very simple device meant to put ones back in traction or in an extended state for the purpose of pain relief and stretching of the back muscles. This done by a person lying on their back (FIG. 1) or on their stomach (FIG. 2) with their legs bent at the knees, the device is pushed with the handle portion (“2”) threw the vertical portion (“1”) which is attached to the horizontal bar (“3”) pushing on the back of the persons upper calves. This then pushes the legs of the person in one direction and the shoulders in the other direction stretching the person's back and opening the gaps between the vertebrae and stretching muscles relieving pain. The bars and handles can have many cross sections such as but not limited to tubular, solid round, square ect., as long as it is strong enough to keep its embodied shape during use. The handles (“2”) may or may not have a comfortable grip applied as indicated or come with a ball or grip that extends from the end of vertical bar (“1”) opposite of horizontal bar (“3”) to push the device toward the calves in the method described.

The present invention as described is simple as it can be made by bending a single bar or tube in four places as is pictured in the preferred embodiment (FIG. S1). The vertical bars/bar (“1”) can be made extendable for different sizes of people for very little expense. In either case the device is the simplest and thus the least expensive to produce device for producing back traction yet devised making it more accessible to the public and therefore more likely to be purchased and used than any other device.

The present invention is meant to be easier to use than other devices for people of all sizes and shapes. Heavy people have trouble using devices that push on the fronts of the legs or thighs, people of a large size would find it difficult to use such a device due to the device being pushed up the leg to the knee by a large abdomen and as such not extending the spine. The fronts of the thighs are also much more sensitive than the backs of the calves, other devices also pull on one's neck and push on the sensitive tops of their feet. The present invention does not rely on a person's weight to operate as does inversion type devices. These reasons make the preferred embodiment (FIG. 3) more effective and less painful than other devices making the present invention's method of use superior.

The person using the present invention or device is in full control of the pressure placed to extend and put their back in traction. The person as seen in (FIG. 1 & FIG. 2) can release pressure at a moment's notice if pain was to occur. This makes the present invention and it's method of use superior to other devices.

The present invention's method of use entails that the person using it be in a lying position with the thigh portion of the leg is flat and in line to the torso (FIG. 1 & FIG. 2). This means that when extending the length of the spine to put it in traction that the vertebrae will be in the same position as when standing, thus extending the spine in a more natural position than other devices, and not hyper extending gaps between the vertebrae as with other positions such as sitting.

The present invention's bottom horizontal bar (“3”) would be best if covered with a foam or cushioning material or be of a large enough size or shape as to spread out pressure exerted by the device to the calves of the legs during use.

The present invention's shape or embodiment can be of many shapes such as but not limited to those on (Page 2) with the preferred embodiment being (FIG. 3), and still maintain the method of use described.

Claims

1. A frame that is shaped such that a person can push pressure against the upper calves of their legs while lying either on their back or stomach with the legs bent at the knee.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein pushing of the frame is enabled by the user grasping handles attached to the frame with their hands and pushing the handles and thus the frame toward the calves of the legs, thus, extending the spine.

3. The device of claim 1 that has handles that fit ones hand comfortably while applying pressure.

4. The device of claim 1 is unique and simple as to lower the cost of the device and thus promoting use.

5. The device of claim 2 puts the person using it in a unique position that is most ergonomic and effective for traction of the lower spine to occur in a natural and safe position.

6. The device of claim 2 wherein the part of the frame contacting the users' calves is of a comfortable design and/or material.

7. The device of claim 2 whereas the user is in full control of the pressure applied and can stop delivering pressure at any time.

8. The device of claim 2 can be made such that it can be disassembled for travel and easy portability.

9. The device of claim 2 can be made such that it can be adjusted for different size people.

10. The device's method of use is new and unique as to have the person positioned in a way that their thigh area is in line with the torso and the knees bent pushing the upper calves with the arms and shoulders.

11. The method of claim 10 where as the position of the person using the device can be either face up or face down.

12. The method of claim 10 whereas people of a large over weight size can use the device effectively as well as other average size people.

13. The method of claim 10 that the lower back can both be put in traction relieving pain and for stretching of back muscles.

14. The method of claim 10 that by using the device, the shoulders are pushed in one direction and the legs in the other direction extending the spine and putting it in traction.

15. The method of claim 10 whereas the weight of the person does not affect the pressure applied as it does with inversion or hanging devices.